A MAN died while his wife suffered chest injuries after the car they were travelling in was involved in a three-vehicle crash at kilometre one of Jalan Mersing-Endau, near Endau, Mersing, this morning.

Mersing district police chief Cyril Edward Nuing said in the 8am incident, Ali K. Moideen Kutty, 59, and his wife, A’mariah Harun, 53, were travelling from their house in Endau towards Penyabong.

“The accident is believed to be caused by a lorry driven by a 32-year-old man from Batu Pahat, heading towards Tanjung Gemok, Rompin, Pahang,” he said in a statement today.

“While approaching a junction, the lorry driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle and hit the divider before skidding into the opposite lane and colliding with the victim’s Ford Ranger and another car on the shoulder of the road near a food stall.”

Ali, who was pinned to the seat, died at the scene due to severe injuries, while A’mariah suffered chest injuries, Cyril said, adding that the lorry driver and his 39-year-old assistant suffered minor injuries.  

He said the victim’s body was sent to Hospital Mersing for a post-mortem after Covid-19 swab test results were obtained. A’mariah was sent to the Endau health clinic for treatment.

Police have detained the lorry driver to assist in their investigation, he added.

The case is being investigated under section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving that causes death. – Bernama, July 31, 2021.